Autistic residents working to make Hackney ‘autism friendly’

A group of autistic residents and carers are working with Hackney Council
and local health services to make the borough more autism friendly.

As World Autism Acceptance day approaches on 2 April, the group is urging
more autistic Hackney residents to get involved.

Being autistic is a different way to be human. It is a lifelong atypical
way of experiencing and relating to the world.

It is a different way to think and process information. A borough more
accepting and supporting of its autistic residents would enable a better
well-being for autistic people.

Currently the group is working with the Hackney Autism Alliance board to
draft the borough’s first ever autism strategy.

An autistic resident involved in the group said: ‘Autistic people face
discrimination and bullying. Autism is not a mental illness but autistic
people are at higher risk of mental ill health such as anxiety and
depression often brought on from the frustration of not being accepted.’

Panda Mery, another autistic resident, said: ‘There are simple changes
organisations and people can make to improve the lives of autistic people.
Celebrating differences, designing new services with autistics, tackling
bullying, offering mentoring, improving the environment and staff
attitudes can all help.’

‘Although the strategy will be for residents in City and Hackney, an
autism-friendly Hackney will also benefit people who work here and
visitors,’ he added.

Richard, another group member, said ‘It’s good finding information about
autism and the rights of autistic people.’

‘We have five great autistic representatives on the board who are already
getting managers in Hackney to view autism differently,’ said Amanda
Elliot, who works for Healthwatch Hackney and is parent of an autistic
young man.

The Director of Adult Services Simon Galczynski who co-chairs the Autism
alliance board with an autistic resident said:

‘Listening to people’s lived experience first-hand brings a real
understanding of what a difference an Autism friendly Hackney would have
on the lives of autistic residents and carers. Working together will help
us to develop a strategy and action plan that reflects the needs of the
people it is for.’